Artificial joint components including mechanized synovial fluid deflecting structures

Abstract

Prosthetic artificial joints are described, including hip, knee and shoulder joints. In some embodiments, a artificial joint prosthesis includes: a bone-facing surface of a artificial joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; a non-contact surface of the artificial joint prosthesis, the non-contact surface adjacent to the bone-facing surface of the artificial joint prosthesis; at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface, the fluid deflection structure positioned to deflect synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; and a mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure, the mechanism operable to move the fluid deflection structure to direct synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An artificial joint prosthesis, comprising:
 a bone-facing surface of an artificial joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; 
 a non-load bearing surface of the artificial joint prosthesis, the non-load bearing surface adjacent to the bone-facing surface of the artificial joint prosthesis; 
 at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-load bearing surface; 
 a mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure, the mechanism operable to move the fluid deflection structure to direct synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; 
 at least one first magnet integral to the artificial joint prosthesis; and 
 at least one second magnet attached to the fluid deflection structure, wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is configured to at least one of (i) move in accord with a magnetic field established by the at least one first magnet or (ii) allow the at least one second magnet to move the fluid deflection structure in accord with the magnetic field established by the at least one first magnet. 
 
     
     
       2. An artificial joint prosthesis, comprising:
 a bone-facing surface of an artificial joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; 
 a non-contact surface of the artificial joint prosthesis, the non-contact surface adjacent to the bone-facing surface of the artificial joint prosthesis; 
 at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface, the fluid deflection structure positioned to deflect synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; and 
 a mechanism including an actuator attached to the fluid deflection structure, the mechanism operable to move the fluid deflection structure to direct synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo. 
 
     
     
       3. The artificial joint prosthesis of  claim 2 , wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is substantially enclosed within the artificial joint prosthesis. 
     
     
       4. The artificial joint prosthesis of  claim 2 , wherein the mechanism including the actuator attached to the fluid deflection structure further comprises:
 a battery configured to provide energy to the actuator. 
 
     
     
       5. The artificial joint prosthesis of  claim 2 , wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure includes piezoelectric material, the piezoelectric material configured to drive movement of the at least one fluid deflection structure. 
     
     
       6. The artificial joint prosthesis of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator includes at least one magnetic actuator, the magnetic actuator configured to drive movement of the at least one fluid deflection structure. 
     
     
       7. The artificial joint prosthesis of  claim 2 , comprising:
 an aperture in the non-contact surface of the artificial joint prosthesis; 
 a substantially round cavity in the artificial joint prosthesis adjacent to the aperture; 
 the mechanism including a substantially round element of a size and shape to correspond to the substantially round cavity, the substantially round element positioned within the substantially round cavity and configured to move within the substantially round cavity; and 
 the at least one fluid deflection structure attached to the substantially round element and projecting through the aperture. 
 
     
     
       8. The artificial joint prosthesis of  claim 2 , comprising:
 at least one first magnet integral to the artificial joint prosthesis; and 
 at least one second magnet attached to the fluid deflection structure, wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is configured to move in accord with a magnetic field established by the at least one first magnet. 
 
     
     
       9. The artificial joint prosthesis of  claim 2 , comprising:
 at least one first magnet integral to the artificial joint prosthesis; and 
 at least one second magnet attached to the fluid deflection structure, wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is configured to allow the at least one second magnet to move the fluid deflection structure in accord with a magnetic field established by the at least one first magnet. 
 
     
     
       10. The artificial joint prosthesis of  claim 2 , comprising:
 at least two components, each of which include at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to a non-contact surface, and each of which include the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure, each of the mechanisms operable to move each of the fluid deflection structure to direct synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo. 
 
     
     
       11. A hip joint prosthesis, comprising:
 a bone-facing surface of a hip joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; 
 a non-contact surface of the hip joint prosthesis, the non-contact surface adjacent to the bone-facing surface of the hip joint prosthesis; 
 at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface, the fluid deflection structure positioned to deflect synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; and 
 a mechanism including an actuator attached to the fluid deflection structure, the mechanism operable to move the fluid deflection structure to direct synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo. 
 
     
     
       12. The hip joint prosthesis of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is substantially enclosed within the artificial joint prosthesis. 
     
     
       13. The hip joint prosthesis of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism including the actuator attached to the fluid deflection structure further comprises:
 a battery configured to provide energy to the actuator. 
 
     
     
       14. The hip joint prosthesis of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure includes piezoelectric material, the piezoelectric material configured to drive movement of the fluid deflection structure. 
     
     
       15. The hip joint prosthesis of  claim 11 , wherein the actuator includes at least one magnetic actuator, the magnetic actuator configured to drive movement of the fluid deflection structure. 
     
     
       16. The hip joint prosthesis of  claim 11 , comprising:
 an aperture in the non-contact surface of the hip joint prosthesis; 
 a substantially round cavity in the hip joint prosthesis adjacent to the aperture; 
 the mechanism including a substantially round element of a size and shape to correspond to the substantially round cavity, the substantially round element positioned within the substantially round cavity and configured to move within the substantially round cavity; and 
 the at least one fluid deflection structure attached to the substantially round element and projecting through the aperture. 
 
     
     
       17. The hip joint prosthesis of  claim 11 , comprising:
 at least one first magnet integral to the hip joint prosthesis; and 
 at least one second magnet attached to the fluid deflection structure, wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is configured to move in accord with a magnetic field established by the at least one first magnet. 
 
     
     
       18. The hip joint prosthesis of  claim 11 , comprising:
 at least one first magnet integral to the hip joint prosthesis; and 
 at least one second magnet attached to the fluid deflection structure, wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is configured to allow the at least one second magnet to move the fluid deflection structure in accord with a magnetic field established by the at least one first magnet. 
 
     
     
       19. The hip joint prosthesis of  claim 11 , comprising:
 at least one acetabular component, wherein the acetabular component includes at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface and at least one mechanism attached to the at least one fluid deflection structure; and 
 at least one femoral component, wherein the femoral component includes at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface and at least one mechanism attached to the at least one fluid deflection structure. 
 
     
     
       20. A knee joint prosthesis, comprising:
 a bone-facing surface of a knee joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; 
 a non-contact surface of the knee joint prosthesis, the non-contact surface adjacent to the bone-facing surface of the knee joint prosthesis; 
 at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface, the fluid deflection structure positioned to deflect synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; and 
 a mechanism including an actuator attached to the fluid deflection structure, the mechanism operable to move the fluid deflection structure to direct synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo. 
 
     
     
       21. The knee joint prosthesis of  claim 20 , wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is substantially enclosed within the artificial joint prosthesis. 
     
     
       22. The knee joint prosthesis of  claim 20 , wherein the mechanism including the actuator attached to the fluid deflection structure further comprises:
 a battery configured to provide energy to the actuator. 
 
     
     
       23. The knee joint prosthesis of  claim 20 , wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure includes piezoelectric material, the piezoelectric material configured to drive movement of the fluid deflection structure. 
     
     
       24. The knee joint prosthesis of  claim 20 , wherein the actuator includes at least one magnetic actuator, the magnetic actuator configured to drive movement of the fluid deflection structure. 
     
     
       25. The knee joint prosthesis of  claim 20 , comprising:
 an aperture in the non-contact surface of the knee joint prosthesis; 
 a substantially round cavity in the knee joint prosthesis adjacent to the aperture; 
 the mechanism including a substantially round element of a size and shape to correspond to the substantially round cavity, the substantially round element positioned within the substantially round cavity and configured to move within the substantially round cavity; and 
 the at least one fluid deflection structure attached to the substantially round element and projecting through the aperture. 
 
     
     
       26. The knee joint prosthesis of  claim 20 , comprising:
 at least one first magnet integral to the knee joint prosthesis; and 
 at least one second magnet attached to the fluid deflection structure, wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is configured to move in accord with a magnetic field established by the at least one first magnet. 
 
     
     
       27. The knee joint prosthesis of  claim 20 , comprising:
 at least one first magnet integral to the knee joint prosthesis; and 
 at least one second magnet attached to the fluid deflection structure, wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is configured to allow the at least one second magnet to move the fluid deflection structure in accord with a magnetic field established by the at least one first magnet. 
 
     
     
       28. The knee joint prosthesis of  claim 20 , comprising:
 at least one femoral component, wherein the femoral component includes at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface and at least one mechanism attached to the at least one fluid deflection structure; and 
 at least one tibial component, wherein the tibial component includes at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface and at least one mechanism attached to the at least one fluid deflection structure. 
 
     
     
       29. A shoulder joint prosthesis, comprising:
 a bone-facing surface of a shoulder joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; 
 a non-contact surface of the shoulder joint prosthesis, the non-contact surface adjacent to the bone-facing surface of the shoulder joint prosthesis; 
 at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface, the fluid deflection structure positioned to deflect synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; and 
 a mechanism including an actuator attached to the fluid deflection structure, the mechanism operable to move the fluid deflection structure to direct synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo. 
 
     
     
       30. The shoulder joint prosthesis of  claim 29 , wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is substantially enclosed within the shoulder joint prosthesis. 
     
     
       31. The shoulder joint prosthesis of  claim 29 , wherein the mechanism including the actuator attached to the fluid deflection structure further comprises:
 a battery configured to provide energy to the actuator. 
 
     
     
       32. The shoulder joint prosthesis of  claim 29 , wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure includes piezoelectric material, the piezoelectric material configured to drive movement of the at least one fluid deflection structure. 
     
     
       33. The shoulder joint prosthesis of  claim 29 , wherein the actuator includes at least one magnetic actuator, the magnetic actuator configured to drive movement of the at least one fluid deflection structure. 
     
     
       34. The shoulder joint prosthesis of  claim 29 , wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure includes piezoelectric material, the piezoelectric material configured to drive movement of the fluid deflection structure. 
     
     
       35. The shoulder joint prosthesis of  claim 29 , wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure includes at least one magnetic actuator, the magnetic actuator configured to drive movement of the fluid deflection structure. 
     
     
       36. The shoulder joint prosthesis of  claim 29 , comprising:
 an aperture in the non-contact surface of the artificial shoulder joint prosthesis; 
 a substantially round cavity in the artificial shoulder joint prosthesis adjacent to the aperture; 
 the mechanism including a substantially round element of a size and shape to correspond to the substantially round cavity, the substantially round element positioned within the substantially round cavity and configured to move within the substantially round cavity; and 
 the at least one fluid deflection structure attached to the substantially round element and projecting through the aperture. 
 
     
     
       37. The shoulder joint prosthesis of  claim 29 , comprising:
 at least one first magnet integral to the artificial shoulder joint prosthesis; and 
 at least one second magnet attached to the fluid deflection structure, wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is configured to move in accord with a magnetic field established by the at least one first magnet. 
 
     
     
       38. The shoulder joint prosthesis of  claim 29 , comprising:
 at least one first magnet integral to the artificial shoulder joint prosthesis; and 
 at least one second magnet attached to the fluid deflection structure, wherein the mechanism attached to the fluid deflection structure is configured to allow the at least one second magnet to move the fluid deflection structure in accord with a magnetic field established by the at least one first magnet. 
 
     
     
       39. The shoulder joint prosthesis of  claim 29 , comprising:
 at least one glenoid component, wherein the glenoid component includes at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface and at least one mechanism attached to the at least one fluid deflection structure; and 
 at least one humeral component, wherein the humeral component includes at least one fluid deflection structure positioned adjacent to the non-contact surface and at least one mechanism attached to the at least one fluid deflection structure.